Takata: Older-gen Honda City, CR-V, Jazz, Insight under ‘Critical Recall’

Honda Australia has issued a "Critical Recall" for 167 vehicles across previous-generation City, CR-V, Jazz and Insight models sold between 2005 and 2013 (depending on model line) as part of the ongoing Takata airbag campaign.

"A group of vehicles have been fitted with a complete driver airbag assembly, which has been determined to contain an affected Takata airbag inflator," the Japanese brand says in its recall notice.

"If owners of affected Honda City MY2009-2012, CR-V MY2007-2011, Jazz MY2005-2013 and Insight MY2011 are advised their vehicle is under 'critical recall’, it is recommended that you stop driving the vehicle and immediately arrange for airbag inflator replacement as the vehicle has a heightened risk of causing injury or death."

"Honda will offer to arrange for your vehicle to either be towed to the place of replacement or for a mobile technician to be sent to the vehicle (or some similar arrangement), so that you do not have to drive the vehicle in order to receive a replacement airbag inflator," the company adds.

As with previous Takata-related recalls, the fault revolves around airbag inflators that could degrade over time due to high temperatures and humidity. If the vehicle is involved in a collision which triggers the airbags, the metal inflator housing could rupture under too much internal pressure.

Should the condition occur, metal fragments may shoot out of the airbag cushion into the cabin, posing a serious risk of injury, or fatality, to the vehicle's occupants.

Affected models by year are as follows:

As mentioned above, a total of 167 units are affected by this recall across the four model lines, which were available for sale between 27 February 2004 and 31 December 2014 – the VIN list for these models is available here.

Owners are urged to contact their preferred dealer, or Honda Australia directly via its website or 1800 957 444.

"You are also entitled to request special arrangements where the circumstances reasonably warrant this or where you will be deprived of your vehicle for more than 24 hours, such as a loan or hire car or reimbursement for alternative transportation costs," Honda adds.

The latest ACCC figures show 3.2 million airbags (78.9 per cent) have been replaced during the Takata recall campaign, leaving 600,000 vehicles (14.8 per cent) on the road with Takata airbag inflators still fitted.

A further 6.3 per cent of vehicles originally included in the recall have been written off, scrapped or unregistered for more than two years, meaning they can't have their airbag replaced.

There are 24 reported deaths and more than 260 injuries from faulty inflators worldwide. One local motorist was killed by a Takata airbag in July 2017, while another was seriously injured in June of the same year. The ACCC added some 1.1 million vehicles to the compulsory recall last year.

According to the Australian Government, the risk of a defective Takata airbag rupturing may arise between 6 and 25 years after it is installed in a vehicle. In areas of high heat and humidity, the risk of rupture may arise between 6 and 9 years. Concerned owners can check if their vehicle needs a new inflator at www.IsMyAirbagSafe.com.au.

MORE: ACCC lists models under "Critical Recall" for Takata airbags
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